Eldorado Resorts’ acquisition of larger Caesars Entertainment Corp., announced Monday, would form an industry giant with 60 domestic casino–resorts and gaming facilities across 16 states. The companies said the buyout would close next year. The deal is expected to bring major changes to the Strip — where the merged company may try to sell properties; and the deal is expected to raise questions about sports betting, regulatory issues, and the company’s possible future in Japan.

Caesars Entertainment being acquired by Eldorado Resorts in a $17.3B deal. The merged company will retain the Caesars name. Eldorado Resorts, a fast-growing regional casino operator whose lone Southern Nevada property had been the Tropicana Laughlin, is positioned to acquire the larger Caesars Entertainment, owner of 53 properties in 14 states and five countries outside the U.S. Eldorado, which has 26 properties in 12 states, has long been considered a suitor for Caesars, operators of nine Las Vegas resorts, since billionaire investor Carl Icahn took a controlling interest of Caesars’ board of directors.